8 Infuriating Problems With The Apple Watch

New Apple Watches on display at the Apple Grand Central Station store on April 24, 2015 in New York. The Apple Watch debuted in selected global markets Friday with sales limited to clients who had pre-ordered online, making the launch a relatively low-key affair compared to tech titan's usual fanfare. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images)

Apple trumpets its new Watch as its "most personal device yet." And sometimes, when things get personal, they get a little messy, too.

The smartwatch is finally in consumers' hands -- though only for 20 percent of the souls who ordered one -- but some people are already having issues with it. A few of those are user-generated, like when a tech reporter demoing the device accidentally ordered an Xbox One via the Amazon app; however, a number of reports indicate that the Apple Watch has other baked-in flaws. For a luxury device that costs anywhere from $349 to $17,000, that's not exactly comforting.

Of course, it's also not surprising for a new product to have problems. In 2010, Apple's iPhone 4 launch was tarnished by a design glitch that interfered with phone call reception, forcing Apple to give out free rubber cases to solve the issue. The ordeal became known as "antennagate." Years later, the Internet got all bent out of shape when it was discovered that some iPhone 6 devices could physically change shape under certain conditions.

While the Apple Watch appears more or less to work as intended, it's by no means perfect. Here are some of the bigger problems users have noticed so far:

1. People don't understand how to buy it.

CNET reports that customers are totally confused about when they'll receive their Apple Watch, or even how to order it to begin with. (You pretty much have to do it online, unless you can make it to a handful of luxury shops that stock them.)

2. Setup is complicated.

A basic setup guide from The Verge is called "How to set up the Apple Watch in 16 steps." The first paragraph warns the reader that the how-to "isn’t 100 percent comprehensive." Get ready for a long afternoon of tinkering.

3. The sides can get scratched up.

First things first: The front of the screen appears to be incredibly durable. Consumer Reports gave it a righteous stabbing and found it impervious to damage.

That said, users with the stainless steel Apple Watch are finding that the sides get scuffed up, according to Raymond Wong at Mashable, who also notes that a similar material was used in the scratch-prone iPod Classic and iPod Touch devices.

As bad as the old iPods could look after getting banged around for a while, there's a chance that the Apple Watch will wear even worse with age: You probably didn't walk around with your iPod Classic on your wrist as a fashion statement, exposing it to every tabletop edge or doorjamb you walked past. The Apple Watch is constantly exposed, by comparison.

4. It shatters when dropped.

Even though the Watch's face is relatively scratch-resistant, this could still happen:

A video from TechRax shows the Watch's screen shattering after a face-first fall onto a sidewalk. Granted, the purpose of the video was to "drop test" the device, but the result makes us want to exercise caution when adjusting the band. (Do it on your bed or over carpeting, perhaps.)

On the upside, the device is by definition supposed to be strapped onto your wrist. As a lifelong watch-wearer, I can personally attest -- Scout's honor -- that I've never had one magically unclasp and crash onto the concrete. So the chances of your Apple Watch face shattering are probably slim.

5. It kills your iPhone's battery life.

Noticed my iPhone's battery was abnormally low, especially for barely having used it today. So now we know why. pic.twitter.com/9sJuPrpH0Q

Because the Apple Watch constantly talks to your iPhone, it can have a significant effect on battery performance. Some say the Watch seems to have improved their iPhone's battery life, presumably because the Watch allows them to use the phone less frequently; but more are complaining that it hurts their iPhone's battery life significantly.

8. It just plain freaks people out.

Some people have complained that the Apple Watch's app screen looks like an object with "an irregular pattern of holes," sort of resembling a beehive. Focusing on it makes them feel queasy or fearful. This is known as trypophobia, and it may have to do with a part of your brain misidentifying the hole clusters as a "poisonous animal," according to the Association for Psychological Science. Yikes.

BEFORE YOU GO

1BMW i Remote

If you're lucky enough to be an owner of either the BMW i3 or i8 then you're in for a treat. BMW has confirmed that the i Remote app for iPhone will come with its own Apple Watch app. Offering the same key remote functions as the iPhone app you'll be able to check charging, unlock the doors, hoot the horn, flash the lights and more.

2Instagram

That's right, Instagram is on Apple Watch. This skimmed down version of the full app lets you browse through images, like posts and share them with friends.

3Barclays

More an extension than a dedicated interactive app, the Barclays Apple Watch is a simple and secure way of seeing your balance across all your accounts. It'll also re-route all notifications that you go either via the iPhone app or via SMS through the watch as Watch notifications.

4W Hotels

Using GPS your iPhone will let your Apple Watch know when you've arrived at a W Hotel. If you have a room booked it'll even pop up with an option to turn your Apple Watch into your door key. All you have to do is press 'Unlock Your Door' and you're good to go.

5Uber

Keeping at the cutting edge is Uber. You can request a cab, see when it's ready and get home all through the Uber app on Apple Watch. You'll never have to take the iPhone out of your pocket.

6American Airlines

Using GPS, the Apple Watch knows when you're arriving at the airport. As soon as you arrive it'll bring up your boarding information and even let you pass through security using the boarding card on your Watch.

7Contacts

Push down on the Digital Crown and it'll bring up your favourite contacts. From there you can make calls, send images and even send them your heartbeat.

8Messaging

Contact over the Apple Watch couldn't be simpler. You'll be able to draw shapes, send emojis and even send your heartbeat.

9Making Calls

Using the Apple Watch's built-in speaker you can make, and answer phone calls without ever having to pick up your iPhone.

10Djay

That's right, your favourite music mixing app is now compatible with Apple Watch. Naturally being able to do an entire set on your iPhone is no longer hip enough, so they've moved it from the hip to the wrist. You'll look like you're doing literally nothing but then again, isn't that kind of the point?

11Misfit Minute

121Password

1Password, the app that replaces your brain is now on Apple Watch. Using a simple four-digit passcode it'll give you access to your key passwords, so if you suddenly forget your Facebook login or Amazon details your Watch will be on hand to help out.

13Citymapper

Is there an app more useful than Citymapper? As we discovered only the other week, there probably isn't. Well now you won't even have to take your phone out for it to babysit you from A to B.